Today would have been my dads 75th birthday. We lost him to leukemia in 2009. So much of the success of this page and all of my work comes from having heard his message. This photo has his greatest lessons to us. I’m lucky to remember his message, imparted by his humble and simple example throughout his life, but also because I interviewed him in the weeks prior to his passing. (From diagnosis to death we had just 59 days with him). I asked Dad what he wanted us to do and know after he was gone, and his words inspire me to this day. He wanted us to take care of our mom. And we do. He wanted us to love one another. And we do. He also said that the secret to a good life was to “Be yourself. Be honest. Do your best. Take care of your family. Treat people with respect. Be a good citizen. Always chase your dreams.” That, I think, tells you everything you need to know about the man. His dedication to others spoke for itself, too: 20 years in the Marines with three tours in Vietnam; 20 years with the State of Montana; 34 years, it would have been the year he passed, with Mom; 69 years as a very good man. He was hard on us when we were young and then he became sort of a big bellied buddha in the last decades of his life, so loving, so thoughtful, just a simple man who loved golf and racquetball and bowling and football and moms food and his country and each of us. If you are blessed to have a good father and a good connection with him, I encourage you to interview him about his life, and to record the conversation. (And if you dont know him well or have that connection, perhaps an interview could help. Or, you could interview any other caregiver who had influence on you). Below are some questions you might ask him (or any parent or caregiver). I hope it helps you get to know him even better, and that the recordings connect you to him should he ever pass away and also serve to share his message with your children and future generations. Not everyone had a great dad, I know that. So I am extremely thankful for mine. If youre a father, be a great one. If you didnt have a dad in your life, love and honor the caretakers you had dearly. In honor of my dad, I hope that you get to know yours even better. With love, - Brendon INTERVIEW SOMEONE YOU LOVE ABOUT LIFE Questions from Brendon Burchard, author of Lifes Golden Ticket 1. What comes to mind when you think about growing up in [hometown]? 2. What did you love to do as a kid, before high school? 3. What did you love to do in high school? 4. What do remember most about your teenage years? 5. What do you remember most about your mom (grandma)? 6. What was most important to her? 7. What do you remember most about your dad (grandpa)? 8. What was most important to him? 9. If grandma and grandpa had a message to you and their grandchildren, what do you think it is? 10. How did you meet [spouse] and know (s)he was the one? 11. How did you choose your career and what was your favorite part about it? 12. What made you successful at work? 13. What did you believe about yourself that helped you become successful and deal with hard times? 14. What times in your life truly “tested your mettle,” and what did you learn about yourself by dealing (or not dealing) with them? 15. What three events most shaped your life? 16. What do you remember about when each of us was born? 17. Were you ever scared to be a parent? 18. What three words would you say represented your approach to parenting and why? 19. When you think about [sibling] how would you describe him? 20. What message do you have for [sibling] that you want him to always keep in mind? [Do the last two questions above for each sibling in your family] 21. When you think about [spouse], how would you describe her/him? 22. What message do you have for [spouse] that you want her/him to always keep in mind? 23. What three words would you say best describe who you tried to be in life and how you want to be remembered? 24. When they think about their careers, what do you want your children to focus on? 25. What have you learned about other people in life? (trustworthy, kind or not and mean)? 26. What do you think the world needs more of right now? 27. What do you believe people want the most in life? 28. What were the three best decisions you’ve ever made? 29. What are you most proud of in life? 30. What were five of the most positive moments of your life? 31. What message would you like to share with your family? 32. What are you most thankful for?
Posted on: Sun, 07 Sep 2014 14:48:51 +0000